Endemol hip to Hispanics

TV producer focuses on Spanish-lingo auds

Hoping to grab a share of the rapidly growing Spanish-language U.S. aud, “Deal or No Deal” producer Endemol USA is forming a division devoted to Hispanic auds.

Based in Miami, Endemol USA Latino will create and produce content for TV, film and other outlets targeting Hispanic and Spanish-speaking viewers in the States.

Stephanie Fisch, a former exec at Latino production powerhouse Galan Entertainment, will head the division as senior veepee.

First project to be produced under the new banner will be Telemundo’s Spanish version of “Deal,” dubbed “Vas o No Vas” (Daily Variety, May 17). “Deal” has been a hit for NBC since it bowed in December.

Endemol USA prexy-CEO David Goldberg said his parent company’s global reach will make it easier for the division to get off the ground.

“Endemol is already an established content provider in numerous Hispanic markets worldwide,” he said. “Our knowledge of these markets, combined with the rapidly growing U.S. Hispanic population, is what influenced our decision to create a division that focuses on this important market.”

Endemol USA Latino has started developing multiple projects, including novelas, reality skeins and quizzers. In addition to creating original concepts, company will adapt Endemol global formats for the Latino aud.

In addition to her work at Galan, Fisch was tapped in 2004 to head development for Mindless Entertainment, the shingle behind “Surreal Life” and “Strange Love.” She also co-created and exec produced syndie skein “Latin Access,” which aired on NBC stations in more than 90 cities.

“Stephanie has experience working in both the Spanish- and English-language television markets,” Goldberg said. “She understands the financial and creative sides of the business, which makes her the (right) exec for our long-term strategy in this area.”

Endemol USA’s current slate includes ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” NBC’s “Fear Factor” and CBS’ “Big Brother” (with Shapiro/Grodner). Company also has new quizzer projects set up at ABC, NBC and Fox, along with Alphabet summer skein “The One: Making a Music Star.”

While Endemol USA is the biggest American unscripted company to make a formal push into the U.S. Hispanic marketplace, it’s got some company: “American Idol” producer FremantleMedia just began producing a Spanish-language version of “Family Feud” for Univision spinoff Telefutura.